One of the great blessings of my life is participating in a small group of intercessors at my church. The group began a few years ago after the COVID-19 lockdowns with the purpose of praying for our country.

When I joined the group, attendance ranged from three to six people. Now, several years later, our core number is about nine. That sounds small, but we aren’t concerned because of the unity we’ve found spiritually as we’ve prayed together.

For wherever two or three come together in my name, I am right there with them!

~Matthew 18:20 TPT

The wonderful thing about our group is that our closeness has not come from outward things, but through understanding our identity in Christ. This biblical identity keeps leading us to a greater understanding of our authority in prayer, which we get to practice whenever we meet.

Understanding our identity is an exciting journey with Jesus Christ in agreement with God’s Word provided through the teachings of Paul, especially to the believers in Ephesus.

After explaining how God, in His mercy, takes us from being children of wrath and makes us alive in Christ, Paul tells believers what our life becomes beyond salvation.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

~Ephesians 2:6, 10 ESV

If our way of life entails doing the works God prepared for us, we need to know where the power to obey originates. It’s not from us, but from Christ’s life within us.

This is especially important when praying for our country. The battles that attack our Constitution and God’s order for society are not with others. Instead, we fight the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

We must be clear about our position and authority in Christ to battle such an enemy and prevail.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

~Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

I once believed these verses were true in some vague and comforting way. But the troubles surrounding us have grown more severe. Embracing the how and why of God’s power at work within us has become crucial.

Thankfully, God has covered everything we need to obey our personal call to good works and bring glory to Christ in the church. Paul addresses another critical piece. He tells us to stand firm and “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Doing this entails taking up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-13).

We can wage a spiritual war in prayer for our country, or for any need, by understanding what God has promised us in His Word. We can be bold and expect to see God’s will come to pass if we do not give up.

Ask God what needs He wants you to address through prayer and action. 

Father, I thank You for my new life in Christ and Your promises. Help me to know who I have become as Your beloved child. Show me how I can grow up into the good works You planned for me. In Jesus’ name and for His glory in the church, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

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